HIGHLIGHTSONTARIO - AdventistOntario · in the book, The Great Controversy: ‘It was the work of the Reformation to restore to men the Word of God’ (p.388). Living the Reformation’s

Ontario Highlights | Spring 2017 | 1

HIGHLIGHTSONTARIO

Spring 2017

Living the Reformation’s 500-Year Legacy

Scripture AloneChrist Alone Grace AloneFaith AloneTo the Glory of God


if you want to practice them, they are secondary to loving each other. Didn’t the Apostle Paul say so in 1 Corinthians 13?

There is no doubt that it is important for us to read, understand and live by the prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation, and other timely Bible passages, but 1 Corinthians 13 must not be overlooked! Without it, those other books and passages are meaningless to us.

What I love about God is that He is the One who provides all the answers and fills all our needs. He commands us to love one another, but He does not expect us to generate love for those who are hard to love. We can’t. Love does not flow naturally. However, we are without excuse because He even gives us the love we need. He pours His love into us (Romans 5:5).

To truly get a sense of the value of this love, we need to look at the love that God has for us. This is one of the messages of the Reformation, of which 2017 is the 500th anniversary. When we look to the Bible and focus on what it means to be saved; when we consider God’s marvellous grace, and how our salvation is His free gift that we receive through His gift of faith, we begin to slowly appreciate His love for us. Our appreciation of His love must compel us to relate to others with the same quality and principle of love.

Halsey PeatEditor

Editorial

Where’s the Love?

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It disturbed me the first time I heard it. It disturbed me even more when I heard it a second time—this time, at the recent Ontario SEEDs Conference in March.

On both occasions, I was hearing about the Natural Church Development (NCD) result for Adventists. The first report related to Adventists in Canada. The second referred to the USA and Australia. It was the same result. Our consistently lowest score is in the area of loving relationships.

The conclusion is that there is very little trust among Adventists. Yet we’re very proud of, sometimes even arrogant about, our status as the Remnant. Didn’t Jesus say that everyone will know that we belong to Him when we love one another (John 13:35)? He even commanded us to love one another (verse 34). One could easily get the impression that this is one of Jesus’ major concerns for us. It is high on His list of priorities for His followers. It seems to me that when we don’t love or trust each other, that we are guilty of breaking His commandment.

I’ve been struggling to understand the reasons behind this consistently low score. As I have tried to wrap my brain around it, I keep returning to the same thing. Whenever I meet someone who has ceased attending church, or who loves the Lord, but still attends because there is nowhere else to go, the predominant complaint is the constant criticism and judgement. Also, high on the list is the frustration of seeing the congregation giving in to a small group of individuals who insist that their views about diet, Christmas, and a host of other things are the correct ones. People tell me that they do not feel at home in their congregation. They do not feel as if anyone really cares about them. When they leave, their feelings are validated when no one misses them, and they are forgotten.

It is very difficult to trust someone who looks at you in a disapproving manner. Or when you’re confronted by someone who is clearly very upstanding and is obviously offended by any hint of sinful appearance, it’s difficult if you’re someone conscious of your sin to even feel comfortable in that person’s presence. Where is the trust? Do we want to risk our vulnerability by trusting someone who does not appear to want to understand what we are struggling with? I don’t think so.

Am I one of those people who make it difficult for others in the church? Yes, I love my church, and I highly regard its teachings, but do I love the idea of church and the idea of holding true beliefs above doing what Jesus commanded, to love one another? It is easier to love an organisation and a concept than it is to love people, but Jesus never asked us to love those. He asked to love one another. He commanded me to love.

Sure, I could keep the Sabbath even more strictly than the Jews. I could double or even treble tithe. I could attend all forms of Bible studies to learn about Bible prophecy or even lead them. My diet could consist of nothing but raw vegan food, and I could make sure that I don’t drink water with my meals or mix vegetables and fruit. While these things are fine,


Ontario Highlights is published quarterly by the Ontario Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

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Editor: Halsey PeatLayout: Sarah Gouda-Maka & Halsey Peat

Cover Photo: depositphoto.comThe editor may alter, clarify, précis or expand articles sent to him if he sees it necessary.

CONTENTS

COVER STORY

REGULAR

FEATURES

Spring 2017

4 Living the Reformation’s 500-Year LegacyAs inheritors of the Reformation’s legacy, Seventh-day Adventists must recapture its five essentials and live by them

2 Editorial18 Health - The Health Reformation and Your Life (Part 1)

19-36 News

10 By His Grace

We are totally undeserving, yet God gives us His free gift of grace

8 Christ Alone

Salvation comes only through what Jesus has done, independent of what we do.


6 Persistent Interaction with the Scriptures—Key to Personal Reformation

Appreciating the Bible alone as God’s Word, and persistently interacting with it is the key to our life.

12 Finding Living Faith

God considers us righteous through faith alone in what Jesus accomplished by his death, burial and resurrection

14 Who Gets the Glory?

In everything, we honour, praise and worship God because all the glory belongs to Him

16 Eight Ways to Reach Out to Muslim Refugees

With the arrival of Muslim refugees, how can Adventists reach out to them with the gospel?


Hardly a day passes without news of some momentous event taking place in our world. While some may have wide-spread economic or political importance,

few can be compared to the amazing impact of the Reformation 500 years ago.

The Reformers were guided by the conviction that the church of their day had drifted away from the essential and original teachings of Christianity, especially regarding salvation. They were steady in their commitment to restore salvation to its true place, and were tenacious in their faith as they faced opposition.

Ellen White described Martin Luther and his work with admiration, saying, “Zealous, ardent and devoted, knowing no fear but the fear of God, and acknowledging no foundation for religious faith but the Holy Scriptures, Luther was the man for his time; through him God accomplished a great work for the reformation of the church and the enlightenment of the world.” She also alluded to the fact that Luther’s efforts in Germany were complemented by the work of others in many other parts of Europe, resulting in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century which changed Christianity forever.

THE ISSUES

The concerns which the Reformers refused to ignore surrounded the departure of the church from the original teachings of Christianity, particularly in reference to salvation. More specifically, they were deeply troubled that necessary truths were no longer being taught. These omitted truths were the very ones which answered the vital questions, such as:

a) How could one be forgiven of his sins?b) What was the true meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?c) How may one receive eternal life?These concerns gave birth to the concerted efforts of the

Reformers, which identified their primary goal as summarized in the book, The Great Controversy: ‘It was the work of the Reformation to restore to men the Word of God’ (p.388).


The Reformers not only based their work on the Scriptures, but, as a result of their work, the Scriptures were given to the people as God intended. They remained undeterred despite persecution and regardless of the threat of death.

The focus of the Reformation was to restore to humanity the Word of God as the only guide for their faith and practice. As the Word was shared, it resulted in amazing transformations across Europe.

“… the Reformation swept back the darkness that rested upon Christendom…” reflected Ellen White in The Story of Redemption (p.354).

As the new light shone in the minds of the Reformers, God gave them wisdom to counter false teachings with the truth of the Scriptures. One powerful example of undaunted courage for the truth was Luther’s “95 Theses” which argued two central beliefs: The first was that the Bible is the central source of instruction for our salvation, and the second is that faith is vital to our salvation.

THE FIVE ESSENTIALS

Emerging from the Reformation were five essentials for salvation, to which the world was called to return:

1. The Bible alone is the highest authority for our instruction.In His Word, God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for salvation. Jesus is the focus of the Scriptures. The Old Testament presents Him as the Messiah, and the New Testament presents Him as the Saviour. The Bible does not need additional help.

2. Jesus Christ alone is our Lord and Saviour.Jesus was the grace of God in flesh. He was grace in search of sinners like you and me. He has opened the door of salvation through His death on Calvary and assured us beyond life’s last portal--death--by His resurrection.



5. The Christian’s duty is to live to the glory of God.“Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all” (Hymn 115). Recognising and accepting that our salvation is of Christ alone, by His grace alone, and through faith alone means that our life is to glorify Him in how we live. We belong to Him. We are saved by Him from sin and its penalty and made complete in Him, so our life and our worship must be about His glory.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church was born out of the Reformation. We owe it to our history, not only to acknowledge these essentials in our Fundamental Beliefs and talk about them in our Sabbath School classes, but to live them daily. We are to continue the Reformation by restoring the Word of God to its primary place in both our personal and corporate beliefs and practices.

Mansfield Edwards, PresidentOntario Conference

3. We are saved by the grace of God alone. I often think that it would have been grace enough, if God had simply announced from heaven that everybody had been forgiven and given a new start. That would still have been unmerited favour. But to think that God’s only Son should condescend to be one of us, for grace to take on flesh and to experience pain and cruelty for our salvation, was more than we could reasonably ask for. This truly was unimaginable and unmerited favour.

4. Salvation is secured through faith alone in Christ.“By grace you have been saved through faith,” says Paul (Ephesians 2:8). Also, “Without faith it is impossible to please [God], for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). This is the active, dynamic faith that wholeheartedly believes God, and trusts Him to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It is the lifestyle of the Christian as, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’ (Romans 1:17).

1. The Bible alone is the highest authority for our instruction.2. Jesus Christ alone is our Lord and Saviour. 3. We are saved by the grace of God alone. 4. Salvation is secured through faith alone in Christ.5. The Christian’s duty is to live to the glory of God.

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Most of us have more than one! It’s on our phones, tablets, computers, in beautiful leather covers on our shelves and in the pews at church. Yet, it’s

hardly read, even by Christians. The phrase, ‘familiarity breeds contempt’, could easily describe the result of our easy access to the Bible. It wasn’t so 500 years ago before the Reformation.

It was rare to see, much less own a Bible in the years prior to the Reformation. Unless you were clergy, a professor, an artist, well-educated or well-to-do, your level of understanding was slim to none because you simply had no access to the Bible. People were at the mercy of the views of clergy—some of whom were blatantly corrupt. Furthermore, it was limited to those who had a passing knowledge of the Latin language because it was only written in Latin. The masses were totally excluded.

Since ordinary people were excluded, it was impossible for them to have an intimate knowledge of Scripture, and they ceded its interpretation to those who were equipped to translate it, and thus, could not determine truth from error. Taking advantage of the scriptural ignorance of the masses, some church figures were able to misapply and give error-filled interpretations of the Bible while creating doctrines hostile to Scripture, such as indulgences and purgatory.

The Reformers, such as Martin Luther, as part of the Roman Catholic Church, had access to the Bible. However, they were faithful students and teachers of God’s Word and rose up against the teaching of falsehood in place of the truth. Interestingly, Martin Luther and his fellow Reformers so recognized the importance of the Bible, they coined the phrase “sola scriptura”, meaning Scripture alone, and so established their unmoveable stance. They argued that doctrine must be determined only by the Bible.

Persistent Interaction with the Scripture — a Key to

Personal Reformation

What lessons can the Christian church today, and specifically Seventh-day Adventists, draw from the circumstances the Christian church confronted in the Reformation? Simply put, ‘ease of access’ is an understatement. Bob Creson, president of Wycliffe Bible Translators USA, once said: “More people have access to Scripture than at any other time in history.” However, what we do with that level of accessibility to the Bible determines how passionate we are to know more about its author. Perhaps, if we recognize that our ease of access has come to us through great tribulation and sacrifice, we would have a better appreciation for the Bible.

What do we do with our Bibles?Do we keep the Bible

locked up in a cabinet; stowed on a shelf; have it readily available on an electronic device, or do we daily read its pages to know God, gain wisdom, guidance and comfort? Our interaction with Scripture should be so persistent that we resonate with David who said: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Do we allow God’s Word to light our path, to give us guidance? Do we believe

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wisdom. Most importantly, it is sufficient to be explored as a sacred text that could change the trajectory of a broken, listless life, turning the heart back to Christ. After all, where else would you discover that God so loved the world (John 3:16)?

It stands to reason why Reformers stood on the “Sola Scriptura” foundation. They believed that Scripture is the only authoritative manuscript that should guide the Christian above all else. As we celebrate this 500-year anniversary of the Reformation, let’s be reminded that the series of events leading to modern-day Christianity would not have been a reality were it not for one essential pillar--the Bible. Even as we live through these last days, we should be ever reminded to treasure the Word of God so as to be governed by it.

John Scott, DirectorYouth and Young Adults/ACF

what it says, that it is the written Word of God? If so, daily devotional reading should be the order of the day, so as to know God. Equally, daily study of the Bible to understand His divine will for our lives is crucial. What would happen in our lives, our homes and our institutions if the Bible were returned to its rightful place?

Finally, regarding interpretation, you might have heard some say that because their favourite preacher isn’t speaking, then they’re not satisfied. Or, at times, when challenged by a statement in the Bible, many of us have a natural tendency to go directly to the writings of Ellen White for further clarity. No one is suggesting the aforementioned isn’t valuable. What is being challenged is the notion that the Word of God cannot stand on its own. Yet, the Bible, above and apart from other sacred text, is sufficiently capable as the written Word of God. It is sufficient to be explored as a historical document that affirms past world events. It is sufficient to be explored to confirm some of the greatest scientific discoveries out there. Even more, it is sufficient to be explored for its prophetic depth and

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Does Your Church Want to Have Great Times of Worship Together, But You Don’t Have

Any Musicians?


CHRIST ALONE“The church is full of Adventists, but sadly, not all are

Christians,” said the speaker. He was sharing with us his sadness over what he sees as the apparent

lack of evidence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church. “I don’t see a joyous experience in Christ,” he said. “Instead,

I see us as strictly religious people who, sad to say, seem to be untouched by the gospel of Jesus. Our focus is on our ability to live meritorious lives, and to demonstrate to God our own worth.”

A friend recently shared with us that her sister confessed some disturbing news with her. Her sister said, “I know I’m bad. I keep sinning and going back to God each time. God’s not into games, and I can’t go to Him when I am like this.”

As shocking as this true statement is, it is not surprising because she reflects the thinking of others: “I can only go to God when I am in good standing with Him.” Is this one of the reasons some members avoid communion service? It is as if we fail to realise that when we are ‘good’ and doing all the things we have been taught as right to do, when we strip aside the façade of family identity, career status, and church image, what is left is our naked self—sinners to the core!

Religious people have difficulty with their identity as sinners. The temptation is to think that since they have accepted the teaching of the Bible and joined the church, they can contribute value to their being and standing before God. It reflects a proud heart.

When we accept our identity as sinners, and that our righteouness, our salvation and our goodness are the result of Jesus and His work for us, and we receive His gift of salvation, we take on a new identity—God’s chosen, members of a royal priesthood, and a holy nation! We are Christ’s own possession, not because of our worth, but because of His worth. “He has died for sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God,” wrote Peter (1 Peter 3:18).

This new identity is ours, regardless of what we have done or what the world, our culture, or others say or think of us as believers in Jesus. We also recognize that we have not gained salvation. It has been given to us through Christ and Him alone. It was through His death and resurrection that we are saved. He did it all without any help from you, from me or from anyone else. When you try to add to it through your own works, Jesus says to you, as Paul said to Simon, in Acts 8: 21, “You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God”.

There is only one Saviour—Jesus Christ! He does not need our help. Any thought that our efforts, morality or behaviour

places us in His favour is to continue a journey outside of true salvation. All that is needed is to accept Christ’s shed blood for our sins. It is only through Him and Him alone that you can be restored to the image of God.

When the Reformers saw how the church had made salvation a business to be purchased with money and through human obligation, they saw it as a denial of what Jesus had achived by His death, burial and resurrection. They boldly declared that salvation is through Jesus alone! He is the All-Sufficient One. He is the bridge between fallen man and Divinity. There is no need for another intermediary. No need for mediation by a priest because Jesus has made it possible to go directly to the Father through Him. He died for us, rose from the grave and intercedes as our High Priest. Paul puts it this way, “ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—

more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” Romans 8:34 (NIV).When we understand this simple but profound truth and accept its validity for our lives, we experience a tremendous sense of freedom and thankfulness to Him. We immediately recognize that it is not by our Sabbath keeping, fleshless diet, kneeling or covering of the head that we

are accepted by Him. Our acceptance is independent of those things. Our heart of gratitude is reflected in the kind and compassionate attitude we have towards others. We do not find fault with others when they practice their faith differently from how we do. We do not compare our good habits or how we dress with theirs and find them to be at fault, because we know it’s not Jesus and how we dress that makes us accepted by Him. It’s not Jesus and how often I read the Bible or fast and pray. It’s not even Jesus and my witnessing; it’s Jesus alone!

We remember that our religious practices, our devotional life, our witnessing are simply the result of the work that Jesus does in our life.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Act 4:12.

It is always, Jesus alone.

Joan Rogers* and Halsey Peat*Women’s Ministries Director

We have nothing to offer Him

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Ellen White notes, “The proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the righteousness of Christ.” Desire of Ages, p301.


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God’s Grace—The Fundamental

of Christianity



Perhaps its simplicity makes it difficult for some people to accept. Maybe they think that God requires their obedience and reformation of their lives before He is

pleased with them. So grace seems alien to them. For centuries leading up to the Reformation, God’s grace

had not only been forgotten but it even slipped from the Christian Church’s vocabulary. Salvation was to be found through the church and through good works. God’s free gift of grace--salvation is all God’s doing without any contribution from us—is still viewed with suspicion by some today, as if it is too good to be true.

Genetics is an intriguing subject. How one generation transmits its genes to subsequent generations may be a helpful analogy to help us understand why we are dependent on God’s grace.

Our physical and psychological natures have carried the infection of sin from one generation to another and passed it on like a virulent virus. With sin is its companion, death. So, our very nature is sinful. It defaults to bad--rebellion against God. Its symptoms include pride, self-centredness, the inclination to esteem ourselves better than others, despising the imposition of God’s authority, and the inner drive to satisfy illicit passions and lust at the expense of ourselves and others. Its most damaging tool is our deceptive ability to be in denial of our sinful ways, and to rationalize our thoughts and behaviour as appropriate and politically correct! This leads us to believe that all we have to do is to reform our lives and God will be pleased with us. Yet, in spite of our countless efforts to reform our lives, our sinful nature renders us legally and spiritually dead in God’s eyes.

However, God, in His love, planned a way to save a condemned world (Ephesians 2:1-3) by providing atonement through His only Son--redeeming you and me. In this way, God declares us just, pardons our sins, and grants us life by the righteousness of the One who died and rose on our behalf. The riches of God’s mercy and divine grace are shown in raising the spiritually dead to new life in Christ. We call this God’s amazing grace that is ‘greater than all our sins.’

Grace, the Gift of GodA simple definition of grace is ‘God’s unmerited favour.’ It

is the benevolent gift of eternal salvation conferred by faith even now upon repentant sinners. The Apostle Paul describes it in this way, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8 (Italics supplied). The significance of this verse is that the grace of God, which provides salvation, is solely and absolutely a free gift. It’s not something we earn or get as a reward for being obedient or good. We could never merit it however uprightly we live, both publicly in the day and privately in the night. We could not earn it with a lifetime of labour and good works. It has nothing at all to do with what we deserve. It is God’s way of manifesting His kindness to us because He loves us. The depth of that marvellous grace was shown when “Christ died for us while we were yet sinners, and that is God’s own proof of His love towards us” (Romans 5:8 NEB).

“God rejoices to bestow His grace upon us,” says Ellen White, “not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy” The Ministry of Healing, page 161.

So, how do we experience grace today? In the same way it has always been received. Frederick Buechner, in his book, Wishful Thinking, puts it this way: “The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been,

but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It’s for you I created the universe. I love you. There’s only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you’ll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too.”

Salvation is a gift of God and appropriated by faith alone (Ephesians 2: 8-9). The fact that a person is being saved does not depend on what merits or works he or she has done, but on God freely giving salvation on account of the grace He gives to everyone. Those who benefit are those who readily receive it through the Holy Spirit.

What does this mean for those who accept God’s grace? God has taken care of your sin and of my sin—past, present and future. It means that I am in right relationship with Him. It gives us the assurance that we have a place in His kingdom and we will inherit all that He is preparing for us.

How do I relate to others? Since I cannot and have not earned any part of my salvation, I cannot and must not look at others as if I am better than they are. We are all sinners, dependent on God’s grace. We are saved; we are righteous because of what God does for us.

“He [Christ] died for us. He does not treat us according to our desert. Although our sins have merited condemnation. He does not condemn us. Year after year He has borne with our weakness and ignorance, with our ingratitude and waywardness. Notwithstanding our wanderings . . . His hand is stretched out still” The Ministry of Healing. P.161.

Grace is one of the most foundational beliefs of Christianity, and rediscovered through the Reformation. If you have not accepted His amazing gift of grace to you, won’t you do so now? Let’s stop and take a moment to thank God for His saving grace.

Theodore Sargeant, DirectorSabbath School / Community Services


When Jesus was on earth and encountered faith, He rewarded it: the Canaanite woman with the issue of blood (Matt. 15:28); the Samaritan leper, (Luke 17:17-19); and the centurion, of whom He said, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel” (Luke 7:9). When the twelve disciples recognised their lack of faith, they asked Jesus to increase what they had (Luke 17:5). Jesus emphasized that it was not so

much the size of faith as the quality of it that can do seemingly impossible things.

To experience a deeper quality of faith, we are encouraged to talk faith, to live faith, and to act faith in

Christ Jesus.

Talk Faith

FINDING LIVING FAITH

Two words: Without them, there is no purpose for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, or any church for that matter. Without them, we should just hang up our

Sabbath clothes and throw away our Sabbath School lesson quarterlies. The words? Faith alone.

As Martin Luther studied the Bible, he discovered that we are forgiven by God through faith alone. It could not be obtained through a religious lifestyle or purchased by money as the church taught. God considers us righteous through faith alone in what Jesus accomplished by His death, burial and resurrection. It is a faith given to us by God to receive His salvation. It is also a faith by which we live, connecting us to Him—a living faith.

Jesus asked, “When the of Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth (Luke 18:8)?” Will He find us, having embraced saving faith, living by faith, joyfully and passionately, fulfilling our mission as God’s church?

Faith is a key essential of the Christian life. It is a gift from God that comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). As we hear and study His Word daily, we are drawn closer to Him. He reveals His righteousness to us, and our faith in Him grows (Rom. 1:17). We start trusting Him with our entire life. Gone is doubt and worry; instead our heart overflows with gladness, and our mouth speaks of His goodness.

“If we had living faith in God,” said Ellen White, “our lips would be filled with his praise continually.”

When life gets tough with apparently insurmountable problems, we tend to talk more about our issues than speak about the goodness and mercy of the Lord. Talk faith instead. Trust God. Your faith talk (or testimony) may inspire someone else’s faith in God.

Live Faith

Talking faith is one step. Faith must be lived. “The just shall live by faith,” says Paul (Rom. 1:17). What does this mean? It has to be practiced. It’s the principle of Malachi 3:10, where God speaks about tithing, “Test me”, He says. When God told Moses to stretch out his rod over the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21), the waters parted only after he stretched out his rod. Faith becomes active in obedience. Genuine obedience is the result of faith.

If faith does not produce good works, it is not faith. Martin Luther argued that separating faith and works is as impossible as separating light and heat from fire! “Because of it (faith),” he said, “you freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone;

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who brought healing to her demon-possessed daughter (Matt. 15:21-28) are just a few of these. Their faith did not only believe in God, it was an unwavering trust in Jesus Christ on which they acted.

As sinners saved by grace, we are to stretch out our hand of faith to freely receive God’s gift of grace, forgiveness, healing, righteousness, and abundant life in Christ. Surrender self and trust Him no matter what. Pray and act faith for God’s glory.

You can live a life of renewed faith. Begin today by believing the Lord that He has saved you. He even blesses us by giving us faith to believe Him. So, believe Him today and experience a life of consecration to Him. Experience the transformed life where you joyfully talk faith by praising Him; live faith by loving God and doing good to everyone; and act faith by trusting Him to work in us and through us. By doing so, you may effectively fulfil your life’s mission and purpose.

Endnotes:

• Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1980). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 5, p. 837). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

• White, E. G. (1979). Faith and Works (p. 78). Southern Publishing Association.

• White, E. G. (n.d.). The Review and Herald, June 9, 1891, Par. 7.• Luther, M., (1522). “An Introduction to St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans.” • Luther’s German Bible. • Zuck, R. B. (1994). A Biblical Theology of the New Testament (electronic

ed., pp. 133–134). Chicago: Moody Press.

Edwin Martin, DirectorAdventurers / Master Guides / Pathfinders

serve everyone; suffer all kinds of things; love and praise the God who has shown you such grace”.

It is a living faith that works by love (Gal. 5:6; Rom. 5:1; cf. James 2:17, 24, 26).

Living by faith means trusting God enough to obey Him to live according to His will. It means to treat others as we would have them do us. It is the transformed life. Some of us have heard many sermons, prayed countless prayers, read the Bible throughout, and are following strict health and dietary practices--but if we remain indifferent, critical of others, and proud of our religious achievements, then something is amiss. We need to seek God and ask Him to work faith in us to make us humble, joyful, compassionate and loving, both in words and in deeds. Such exercise of faith will make us strong and victorious.

Act Faith

Faith is a simple belief expressed in a concrete action. Through the Holy Spirit, this saving trust yields acts of trust.

The Bible provides numerous examples of saints who acted in faith. Hebrews 11 provides an entire roster. In the Gospels, we see the woman who touched the border of Jesus’ garment (Luke 8:43-48); the four men who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus (Mark 2:5, 12), and the persistent Gentile woman

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Who gets the glory—you, or God? The answer is obvious to any reasonable Adventist—God does, of course! At least that’s the theory, but in practice,

well…it’s often a different picture completely. The Valedictorian rises to give his graduation speech. He

speaks of sacrifice, the long hours of study, hard work and determination. The crowd cheers in response. Who gets the glory?

She looks great! She has turned her life around by eating healthy, consistent exercise and willpower. We admire the good choices she’s made. Who gets the glory?

You’ve been struggling to overcome a besetting sin, but each time you think you’ve gained the victory, you fall. You’re plagued with guilt and remorse. Then, one day, you walk away from the sin, and you taste the sweetness of victory. You rejoice

in the feeling of freedom. Yes, you say that God gave you the victory, but deep down, you know that you made the effort. So, you feel good about your achievements. So, who gets the glory? Does it really matter?

Who gets the glory is all about life and death. This was a key issue of the Reformation, and since the fall of man it has been the root of all our problems.

Our history begins with God. It was He who created and sustained. The Genesis account describes His work as “very good”. Why? It was God Himself who created. No other entity could claim the credit. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork,” declared David in Psalms 19:1.

Who Gets the Glory?

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Along comes the serpent and insinuates that Adam and Eve could be “like God” if they ate of God’s tree (Gen. 3:5). They could also have glory—share in what belongs to God. That’s the lie he told. No one can be God, and no one should steal the glory due Him alone.

Lucifer wanted to be God. He wanted to “ascend to heaven…to exalt his throne above the stars of God… to ascend above the heights of the clouds and to make himself like the most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14). He wants God’s glory.

Since the first sin, whether or not we have consciously done so, humanity seeks glory. At times we seek God, but we are often running from Him and even choosing created things (idols) to replace Him. It’s as if we subconsciously want to be God. On one occasion, Moses had to tell the Israelites that upon entering the Promised Land that, should they prosper, they were not to forget that God gets the glory. “You might say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me’. But remember, the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deut. 8:17).

Shortly before the birth of Jesus, the angels proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). The only way that there can be peace on earth is when God gets the glory. Human history is a sorrowful trail of the residue from disastrous conflicts because of our pride and selfishness. Yet, we still seek after, scheme for and try taking glory that rightfully belongs to God.

The Reformation clearly exposed the Church as it tried stealing God’s glory. The Church had assumed an authority that belongs to God. It attempted to dispense salvation as a commodity that could be purchased. The emphasis was on man’s ability rather than on God’s grace. The Reformers tirelessly sought to reclaim the teaching of the Scriptures that declare the sovereignty of God over every part of the believer’s life.

The Reformers’ message was that one’s life was to be lived for the glory of God. They acknowledged that there was no division of life into sacred and secular as propagated by the Roman Church. Rather than striving to please church leaders, live religious lives, purchase indulgences, keep a list of rules, or guard one’s own interests, the goal of humanity is and always was to give glory to God. The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” This question rests on Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Giving glory to God was also the summation of the Reformation’s essentials: Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Christ Alone. Since He alone saves, all glory belongs to Him.

Revelation chapters 12 and13 portrays three beasts representing a system of power that endeavours to force humanity to worship and follow it. Again, it’s the Devil attempting to usurp God’s throne. While he is set on gaining God’s glory, an angel appears and loudly declares, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water” (Rev. 14:7). The primary emphasis is on God. He alone gets the glory.

And that’s how the story ends. In Rev. 19:1, 7, the great multitude in heaven declares, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honour and power belong to the Lord our God! …Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! …“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”

Let us give God the glory in all things!

David SchwinghammerExecutive Secretary

Worship & Stewardship Director

It is seductive to think that because of our daily devotional life, our attendance at prophecy seminars or even our acceptance of Him that we are contributing to our salvation, or earning His favour. No, all glory belongs to God.



Since the beginning of 2016, the scenes of refugees arriving at Canadian airports have filled our television screens. In addition to government sponsorship, many

have been sponsored by private citizens and by churches. However, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been conspicuously missing from among them.

The challenge is that many Adventists, for varied reasons, are either sceptical or doubtful of whether they wish to build any kind of relationship with these newcomers, many of whom are Muslims. However, despite our discomfort or scepticism, Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations. And discipleship includes building relationships with others, including those of dissimilar faith.

The story of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, in John 4, illustrates how we are to build relationships with people of other faith traditions. Even though there were differences in the beliefs and practices of the Jews and the Samaritans, Jesus illustrated that everyone needs to know the true God, and everyone needs to have a friend. He reached out to those who were not of His faith tradition but did not compel them to become a part of it. Those who accepted him as Christ did so in the context of their Samaritan culture.

Like Jesus, we must have the necessary knowledge to relate to our Muslims friends, be sensitive to the prevailing environment, and be able to build relationships without prejudice to culture, race, religion, or ethnicity. We must be willing to build relationships with our Muslim friends in their context.

The following eight factors may prove very useful to you in accomplishing this:

1. Be able to identify some people of the East from the Torah

Abraham and his descendants are people from the East, primarily Arabia. Follow the journey and promise of Abraham from Arabia to Israel and to Egypt. Examine the promise of Ishmael and Isaac and the journey of Ishmael and his mother, Hagar, from Canaan to the desert land of the East. Become familiar with the names of Abraham’s children with Keturah, after Sarah died.

Eight Ways to Reach Out

to Muslim Refugees

2. Become acquainted with some core teachings of Islam

Learn about the Pillars of Islam, the Muslim six articles of faith, and a brief history of Muhammad. The Pillars of Islam include the Shahadah (testimony), Salat (prayer), Sawm (fast), Zakat (charity), and Hajj (pilgrimage). The Muslim articles of faith include the belief in one God, in angels, the Qur’an and Holy Books, the prophets of God, predestination, and belief in the Day of Judgement.

3. Understand the extent to which the holy Qur’an speaks about Jesus

Two important points are: Jesus as the Messiah (Masih), and Jesus as the Word. “The Qur’an is probably one of the best tools for effective sharing with our Muslim friends” (Bahadur 2012, 203).

4. Become a helpful child of God

Give as much help as needed to make newcomers comfortable as they try to adjust to life in Canada. This may involve transportation to government offices to obtain needed documents, to the supermarket, or to the bank. Share with them and help with English translation where necessary. Holding small informal English classes in your home or in church to

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help newcomers quickly grasp the English language is another way of helping. The use of the Qur’an and Bible can be used to teach English.

5. Become acquainted with some common courtesies and greetings of Muslims

One common Arabic greeting used by Muslim is ‘assalamo alaykum’ (peace be upon you). The response is “Wa-alaykum assalaam” (and peace be upon you also). When you invite any Muslim family to your home, ensure that you offer refreshments.

6. Love your Muslim neighbour Christians are called to love God and our neighbours. Adopt

a friendly approach with your neighbours. As you converse with them, listen patiently and, when requested, be ready to pray with them. Given the present hostilities taking place towards Muslims in different places, offer to pray for them. Stop by your area mosque and introduce yourself to the Imam and assure him that you are praying for him and for his people. When invited, be ready to attend Muslims’ special events (Eid-ul-fitr, breaking of the fast during Ramadan), and be willing to invite them to your special events (Thanksgiving, Christmas musicals) and health programs. Invite your Muslim neighbour and/or Muslim refugee friend to socialise with you. “Have fun, have no agenda, don’t be religious, adapt, and be yourself” as you engage with Muslims (Medaris 2008,152-174).

7. Be aware of healthy lifestyles practices common to Muslims and Adventists

When and where appropriate, engage Muslims in conversation concerning these principles. As a caring Adventist you may wish to inform your Muslim neighbour that you practice some healthy lifestyle principles that are similar to theirs--including abstinence from eating pork, and strangled meat. Lead them to Leviticus 11 where God has listed both clean and unclean foods. Both the Qur’an (Sura 5:91) and Bible (Proverbs 20) advises against strong drink. Another area of similarity is that of modesty as noted in Sura 24 and 1Timothy 2.

8. Acquaint yourself with a few Quranic themes that have similarities in both faiths

Like Adventists, Muslims are looking forward to the Second Coming of Jesus and embrace the Day of Judgement. As you build relationship with them, these topics will make for healthy dialogue.

As we seek to build relationships, we must remember, “Muslims are not the enemy,” just ordinary people who need to have friendly neighbours (Masri 2014, 9). Therefore, let our communications be appropriate, purposeful and effective. Let us all be good listeners, as we look past other people’s communication styles and focus on the message shared.

Reynold Hazelwood, PastorBrampton Church

Ontario Conference AMR Coordinator

For a more detailed understanding of this subject, see the author’s work below.—Editor.

References

• Bahadur, Petras. 2012. Should The Qur’an Be Used in Christian Witness? Journal of Adventist Mission Studies 8, no. 2 (Fall): 203-214.

• Hazelwood, Reynold. 2015. Building Bridges: Equipping Congregants at the Kingsview Village SDA Church to Build Relationships with Muslims. Toronto ON: Tyndale

• Masri, Fouad. 2014. Connecting with Muslims: A Guide to Communicating Effectively. Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press.

• Medearis, Carl. 2008. Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships. Grand Rapids, MI: Bethany House.

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As Protestant churches celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Seventh-day Adventists are also able to celebrate another type of necessary

reformation—Health Reformation. Interest in healthful living was awakened among the

pioneers of the church in a 19th Century environment of relative ignorance among the general public about what constituted good health care.

The period leading up to the emergence of the Adventist organization was one of high mortality rates from illnesses that are easily treated in modern medical practice. Infants and children were affected more than any other age group. Rather than seeking to investigate the causes of disease, doctors routinely prescribed strong opiates and drugs in an effort to alleviate symptoms. ‘Bleeding’ a patient was widely practised by physicians as a therapeutic intervention. Remedies for elevated body temperatures and other ailments included the use of wine and brandy alone – used internally or externally or with milk and/or water. Digitalis, mercurial salts, and even arsenic were dispensed readily and thought to have therapeutic value. The use of unclean meats, caffeinated beverages, and tobacco in several forms – chewed, smoked or inhaled as snuff (ground tobacco) - was common among founding members of the church. Tobacco was frequently prescribed as a remedy for lung disease. A church pioneer, J.N. Loughborough, was advised to use tobacco to treat a problem with his lungs – advice that led to a cigar-smoking habit. Eventually, he stopped smoking and lived to be ninety-two (Robinson).

Loughborough and other Seventh-day Adventist pioneers ate large portions of pork and beef and engaged in other harmful habits that affected their health. Loughborough admitted to being “a great lover of animal flesh as food” and “wanted fat pork fried for breakfast, boiled meat for dinner, cold slices of ham or beef for supper” (Robinson). “One of my sweetest morsels was bread well soaked in pork gravy”, he recalled (Robinson). Another pioneer, J.N. Andrews, who eventually became the church’s first missionary to serve outside the United States, was in very

poor health while in his early thirties. He admitted that the foundation for his condition lay in the unwholesome food, late suppers, frequent snacks, use of old cheese to facilitate good digestion (as he believed), highly seasoned foods, pork in every form, tea, and coffee (Robinson). Joseph Bates spent a number of years using alcoholic beverages, strong caffeinated drinks and tobacco. By 1855, the church had voted to withdraw membership from any member who used tobacco but later amended the guideline to reflect a position of grace and

patience for those who were struggling with the habit.

A vision given to Ellen White in Otsego, Michigan in 1863 proved to be pivotal in health reformation among the fledgling group of pioneers. Because of the vision, the early church recognised that caring for health is a spiritual matter, reflecting a person’s commitment to God. Members were informed that swine’s flesh was not be

eaten under any circumstance; caffeinated drinks and tobacco

in any form were slow poisons; strict cleanliness of the body and home premises was important, and common medicines, such as strychnine, opium, calomel, mercury, and quinine were poisons. They heard that cheerful, physical labour, outdoor exercise, rest, sunlight and pure air – especially in sleeping quarters - produced health benefits to mind and body. Additionally, they were advised that pure water should be used freely in maintaining health and curing illnesses, (http://www.whiteestate.org/books/mol/Chapt24.html#Led Step by Step).

Following the vision, Ellen White and other leaders led by example and discarded pork, beef, tobacco, snuff, and caffeinated beverages. Among the leaders was Elder Isaac Sanborn who reported that after struggling with poor health for ten years, he quit eating pork, became vegetarian, and enjoyed “as perfect health as probably can be enjoyed in this mortal state” (Review and Herald, April 11, 1865). Elder Loughborough also testified to the ongoing benefits of a change in lifestyle, “Never was sleep sweeter, or health better, or my mind more cheerful … than for the last two months. I would not, for any consideration, go back to the meat, spice, pepper, sweet cake, pickles, mustard, headache, stomach-ache

The Health Reformation and Your Life

Part 1

J.N. Andrews

J. N. Loughborough

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healthy lifestyle. Commentary on these and other areas of the health reformation will be covered in the second part of this series.

Maria McClean, DirectorHealth and Children’s Departments

Sources1. The Story of Our Health Message: The Origin, Character, and

Development Of Health Education in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Dores Eugene Robinson

2. DMin thesis excerpts, Maria McClean

and gloom, and give up the good wholesome fruit, grain, and vegetable diet, with pure cold water as a drink, no headaches, cheerfulness, happiness, vigor, and health” (Review and Herald, December 6, 1864).

Another important addition to health reform was the adoption of a two-meal-a-day plan – breakfast and dinner. Omitting supper was considered beneficial to the stomach and other parts of the digestive system. Extreme views surfaced at this time from those who prescribed excessive fasting and absolute elimination of salt, sugar, milk, butter, and eggs from the diet. To achieve balance, however, Sylvester Graham, physiologist and dietician, and Ellen White advised members to use sugar, salt, milk, eggs, and butter sparingly (Robinson).

More challenges and changes were reported as members struggled to understand the physical and spiritual benefits of a

On November 27, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists appointed Pastor David Schwinghammer as acting vice president for Administration/executive secretary and Pastor Halsey Peat as assistant to the president, for Strategic Planning.

Schwinghammer fills the position left vacant by the election of Pastor Gary Hodder as president of the Alberta Conference last September.

Schwinghammer spoke of his surprise by the appointment, and said, “I am honoured and humbled to be asked to serve as executive secretary of the Ontario Conference. I have been blessed with the privilege of serving this great Conference in various ministry roles for 16 years now.”

“We welcome Dave to our administrative team,” said Pastor Mansfield Edwards, Conference president. “He has served well as our Stewardship and Worship director since 2009, and has clearly demonstrated his ability to effectively work with fellow directors. He is also a very dedicated worker who can be

New Appointments at Ontario Conference

Headquarterscounted on to give of his best efforts. These are valuable traits that we definitely need in our conference.”

Schwinghammer will continue carrying his present Stewardship and Worship responsibilities.

The new position of Assistant to the president, for Strategic Planning to which Halsey Peat has been appointed, has arisen from the need to have someone give particular attention to the strategic mission of the Conference.

“The appointment widens the role Halsey has played for the past few years as chairperson of the REACH Strategic Committee,” explains Edwards. “We have seen evidence of his ability and commitment to carrying out this crucial function in our conference, so we gladly welcome him to this new role.”

Peat will relate directly to pastors and congregations to further the vision of the Conference. He will also, under the direction of the president, be assigned additional functions. However, he will continue in his present role as director for Communications and Religious Liberty (PARL).

A further change to roles in the conference office was continued in December 2016 when the Conference Administration asked Durven Bansie, who has served as an internal auditor for the conference for the past three years, to be the assistant treasurer. Bansie began his new responsibilities on January 1, 2017. He fills the position left vacant when Virene Meikle was appointed as the new treasurer in October 2016.

David Schwinghammer Halsey Peat

Durven Bansie

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ptimum Convention Highlights Spiritual Leadership

‘Optimum’, Ontario Conference’s ministries convention, held February 3-4 2017, was far more than just training for over 830 local ministry leaders. It was about being like Jesus.

“This was definitely a ‘higher ground’ experience,” said Pastor Todor Levterov from Southern Ontario. “The high spiritual momentum came with the focus being on Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God, as the solution for the current needs of the church.”

The biennial event, held at Sheraton Parkway Hotel, Richmond Hill, featured over 23 seminars led by 27 presenters. The total attendance of over 900 was similar to that of ‘Relevant’, the ministries convention held two years ago.

Elder Mark Johnson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, and Elder Mansfield Edwards, president of the Ontario Conference, were among the keynote speakers. The other keynote speakers, Pastors Lola Moore, Young Adults director, South Central Conference, and Roger Hernandez, Ministerial director, Southern Union, also presented seminars.

Each keynote speaker delivered deeply Christ-centred messages that highlighted the need for leaders who are firstly Christ-like and who lead in His character. They all shared

Mark Johnson

memorable quotes, but it was Hernandez who seemed to have an abundance of them at his disposal. “We are not human doings,” he said. “We are human beings! Learn to rest and allow God to lead.” Also, speaking of being relevant, he said, “We are busy building churches for a world that no longer exists!”

The joyful expression of the congregation in all four worship sessions was clearly visible. The satisfaction gained from the seminars was happily shared by attendees.

“I think this has been the best conference I’ve attended,” said Sam from Kitchener-Waterloo. “The workshops were great. It’s one of the first times that I can go home to my church with a few things I can implement immediately.”

Maria from Spanish Bet-el Church, as a Grade 10 student, was among a number of teens who attended. “Sadly, I only came today (Sabbath),” she said. “But I’m glad I came. The prayer session really touched me because I’ve learned how important it is in having a relationship with God.”

Brampton church member, Emlyn Campbell, was overjoyed about her experience attending the worship seminar. “It was really great,” she said. “I’ve learnt so much about music in church.

“Welcome to Optimum”

“We love the spiritual emphasis” Bill Innes and Glenn DeSilva


I only wish that we had it on a continual basis because it’s a lot to process at one time.”

Pastor Francis Douville, from Southern Ontario, was one of nearly 90 pastors who attended. He sent an email to express his thanks for the convention. He said, “The professionalism and organization was above par and sets an example for us pastors to emulate in our churches…I go back to my church revived and excited to do ministry.”

Sadly, the joy, spiritual experience, fellowship and expert training gained at Optimum were missed by some. By the time they attempted to register, the extended deadline had passed. Hopefully, they will be among the early birds who will be the first to register in late 2018 for the next convention in early 2019.

Ontario Adventist Ministries Convention is the premier training event for local church ministry leaders in the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. It serves as part of the implementation process of the Conference’s strategic plan.

Halsey Peat

Roger Hernandez

David Williams leading Worship workshop Mansfield Edwards with Paul Brantley

“We haven’t seen each other for years!”

DVDs and CDs of the messages from:- Lola Moore (Friday night)- Mark Johnson (Sabbath morning)- Roger Hernandez (Sabbath mid-morning)- Mansfield Edwards (Sabbath evening)

Cost: $4.00 CDs, $8.00 DVDs

Contact: Lila Oliveira at 905-571-1022, ext. 201 or [email protected]

Order Optimum DVDs and CDs


“On February 17, 2017, the anticipation was over. I got into the Adventist Christian Fellowship (ACF) retreat bus with all the other wonderful people that were also awaiting this day,” said Kim. “We were so excited to see each other again after such a long time.”

It was Kim’s second time attending the annual ACF retreat, held February 17-20, 2017 at Camp Frenda, in Muskoka, Ontario. She was one of over 120 ACF leaders and other Adventist students who attend public universities or colleges in Ontario.

“As a Seventh-day Adventist student at a public university, it is way too common to feel like you are “alone” even when you are surrounded by lots of people,” said Kim “…I felt as if I was unable to truly relate to anyone else about my personal struggles. After the first ACF at Frenda, my life was never the same.”

The annual ACF retreat is three and a half days of sharing testimonies of God’s power, encouragement, fellowship, worship, debate, learning, lots of fun and much more. ACF Ontario 2017, with its theme, Make the World GREAT Again!’ featured Pastor Ron Pickell, North American Division ACF director. Among the many things shared was the fact that secular campuses are the most strategic mission fields today (Stephan Lutz). Pickell challenged attendees to make their campuses great again.

Kim, a student from Brock University, was particularly taken with the testimonies she heard from other campuses. “Their stories were inspiring,” she said. “I saw their love for God and how they were not afraid to show it on their campuses. My heart was filled. I returned home ready to share about how inspired I was and ready to tell the campus and the world about Jesus!”

ACF Ontario 2017 — More Than a NameIt was Arthurine’s second time attending. “I thought I had

an idea of what to expect for the weekend,” she said, “but God literally blew my mind… I’d give that weekend a 10/10; everything was perfect! I can’t wait to go back next year!

“Before entering university,” she said, “I had no idea of what ACF was. I thought I would find a church in my new city, and that would be it. When I arrived in the nation’s capital, I soon learned how impactful and impacted the Adventist students were by their church life. It truly excited me to see people my age (and graduated) be genuinely invested in growing their relationship with Christ. ACF has completely changed my mindset about life, school, and church.”

ACF Ontario 2017 was Orville’s fifth retreat. He says, “It was attending these retreats that helped me get on track to rediscover who God is and what that truth meant for my life. It’s here where I’ve been able to ask hard questions about religion and belief and receive answers that aren’t simply, ‘Read your Bible and you’ll know!’ It’s here where I’ve met spiritually minded and motivated individuals, whose passion for Christ has and continues to inspire me. It’s here where I’ve had the benefit of experiencing true fellowship by being surrounded with people that have a genuine love for God and for others. Attending this year cemented that picture for me even more. The community definitely feels like a family.”

OB is a graduate of the University of Toronto. He is committed to growing ACF Ontario and developing new leaders.

“One of the bigger themes that stood out to me this weekend was about “showing the Kingdom of God is now,” he said. “…We have a mission now – to show who God is to our communities around us, whether on campus, in the workplace, or in our communities.


Exciting things are happening at Frenda! In the words of the familiar song, we can “count our blessings—one by one.”

Blessing #1: After two years of rebuilding following the storm that destroyed the cafeteria, our insurance claims have been settled and our files are now closed! Both the Sanz Complex (which houses our craft building) and the Worship/Cafeteria Complex have been rebuilt. The total for both projects exceeded $2.5 million. Full use of the camp is now available.

Susan James, Food Services director, said, “These past winter months, we have been booked solid. Each weekend, the church groups have come, and they have enjoyed the food and fellowship!”

Blessing #2: Approximately 15 years ago, Camp Frenda received a donated Ford pick-up truck from a sister camp in Southern California. This truck served us faithfully as a snow plough truck in the winter months and a hay hauling truck for the horsemanship program in the summer months. However, it was not able to survive another winter. A sizeable donation provided us with the blessing of a Kubota Diesel Tractor with a front snow blower. Camp Ranger, Jere Clarke, was overjoyed with the purchase, “It used to take a full day to clean the roads, and now it takes about three hours. We even have extra time to help our neighbours out! After years of struggling with used equipment, we have something that is reliable and brand new that will serve the camp for the next 20 years!”

Blessing #3: This past summer, staff member Dwight Rey, a Media major at Southern University, dedicated countless hours creating a two-minute promotional video including aerial drone shots, camper testimonials and staff testimonials. It was distributed to every church during February. When Rose Rodrigues saw the video in her church, she said, “I’m convicted that I need to send both of my girls to Camp Frenda this summer”.

It is our prayer that more parents will be inspired to send their children to Summer Camp 2017. If your church has not seen the video, kindly contact Camp Frenda (905) 571-1022 to receive a copy.

God has been good! As we move into the summer months, Camp Frenda encounters new needs. We have no fear because Scripture reminds us in Psalms 50:10, that our God

Camp Frenda Counts Its Blessings

owns the “cattle on a thousand hills.” We realize that in giving, we are blessed, so we solicit your prayerful consideration of the following needs: 1) a used truck for hauling hay during the summer months; 2) a riding lawn mower to maintain the campgrounds; and 3) worthy camper support for underprivileged children.

If the Holy Spirit impresses you to bless the camp through your support of one of these three projects, please make funds payable to: Camp Frenda Equipment (Items 1 & 2) or Camp Frenda Worthy Camper Fund (Item 3).

As the lake thaws and the trees begin to bud, we’re excited to see how God will continue to bless the ministry of Camp Frenda. We eagerly await the coming months when the sounds of children running and exploring Camp Frenda will resonate across Lake Rosseau. Your child, or a child you want to support, could be one of them.

Most importantly, we solicit your continued prayers because we have seen first-hand how one week at camp can change a child’s life for eternity!

Glenn DeSilva, DirectorCamp Frenda

“I look around at people my age and younger trying to make the world around them a better place. I dream of my church having the same fire.

“Attending ACF Camp Frenda gives me a glimpse of what heaven would be like. If you’re attending a public university or college here in Ontario, I’d encourage you to attend ACF even just once.

ACF Ontario is a branch of the North American Division’s ACF. It is more than a name. It seeks to build chapters on secular campuses that will honour God, nurture the spiritual lives of students and support them in sharing the Good News. It is directed by Pastor John Scott, director of Ontario Conference Youth Ministries.

(Kimberley Padayachi, Arthurine Duhaney & Orville “OB” Rey contributed to this report)



Betty Charlesworth, Luise Schwebler and Milovan Bogomirovic, may not have known each other, but they all made the same decision—to ensure that, even in their death, they could contribute to the proclamation of the Good News.

All three had been faithful members of their respective churches of Willowdale, Kitchener-Waterloo and Toronto Yugoslavian. They believed in the mission of their church and served it in various capacities. Pastor Milovan Bogomirovic served the church primarily in the former Yugoslavia before moving to Ontario in 1988.

In preparation for their deaths, they wanted to ensure that their contribution did not end when they died. Each put in place a plan for the disposal of their assets when they could no longer use them, and they left a legacy of service, kindness, and generosity for God’s work. However, they probably never anticipated that, over the course of one weekend, their legacy would make a difference for three congregations.

On Friday, November 18, 2016, during the 65th anniversary of the Kitchener-Waterloo Church, Ontario Conference treasurer, Virene Meikle, and Planned Giving and Trust Services director, Alvin Ram, presented the congregation with a cheque of $3,335.80 as the final installment of the legacy of $18,335.80 from the estate of Luise Schwebler. She also left $36,671.60 to the Conference.

The following morning, on November 19, Meikle and Ram visited Toronto Yugoslavian and Willowdale Adventist Churches. They presented the Yugoslavian Church with a cheque for $59,569.43 from the estate of Milovan Bogomirovic.

Immediately following the presentation, they went to Willowdale and presented the church with a cheque of $9,099.36 representing the second installment from a total of

Church Members Leave Legacies

Luise Schwebler

Milovan Bogomirovic

Betty Charlesworth

Alvin Ram and Virene Meikle, treasurer, present cheque to Pastor Godsoe

$39,099.36 from the estate of Betty Charlesworth.

Both Bogomirovic ($3,135.13) and Charlesworth ($39,099.36) also left money for the Conference.

By planning ahead, Sisters Betty Charlesworth and Luise Schwebler, and Pastor Milovan Bogomirovic ensured that, even in death, they could contribute to God’s work in Ontario.

All three together gave the Ontario Conference $78,906.09

If you would like to learn more about how a Will can help you make a difference in the lives of your family and your church, please contact Alvin Ram at the Ontario Conference Planned Giving and Trust Services Department, 905-571-1022 ex. 206.

Bluewater Adventist Camp Meeting Theme: Hope in Troubled TimesSpeaker: Lars MullerDate & Time: July 29, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Location: Elmwood Community Centre, 38 Queen Street West, Elmwood, Ontario

Come and join Hanover, Harriston and Owen Sound Seventh-day Adventist Churches for the Bluewater District Camp Meeting on July 29, 2017 in the beautiful country setting of Elmwood, Ontario. Full day program includes Sabbath School for all ages, main worship service, potluck lunch and afternoon sermon & presentations. Be encouraged and strengthened in your walk with Christ! Equip yourself so you can know Him better and in turn, share your love and His truth with others.

For more information, contact 519-371-1722 or visit www.owensoundadventist.ca


On November 26, 2016, Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (OC) inaugurated the first congregation for visually impaired worshippers in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (NAD).

Pastor Mark Johnson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (SDACC), and Pastor Mansfield Edwards, president of the Ontario Conference (OC), joined the 25 charter members and other guests for the service held at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel at 50 Estate Drive in Scarborough.

Hope Vision Fellowship, as the new congregation is called, fulfils the dream of Charles Thomas, Pat Page and her husband Ralph, who previously worked for the visually impaired at Christian Record Services, to see a church for the visually impaired in Ontario. With the support of Pastor Theodore Sargeant, who is responsible for Disability Ministries at the Ontario Conference, and Pastor Jakov Bibulovic, OC Church Growth director, plans were laid to form the church.

NAD president, Pastor Daniel Jackson, a strong supporter of Disability Ministries, was happy when he learned of the pending inauguration and sent a personal congratulatory letter that was read to the congregation.

“Like no other time in history, Christians need to recognise their call to God to be heralds of His soon coming,” he wrote. “I am grateful that you have heard His call and that you see His vision for you.

“I believe that the inauguration of the Hope Vision congregation is a hallmark for Canada and for the North American Division.”

Both Mark Johnson and Mansfield Edwards offered their congratulations. Edwards spoke of his appreciation of Charles Thomas, Pat and Ralph Page, Pastor Theodore Sargeant and others who worked to make the church a reality.

Sargeant is enthusiastic about the new congregation. “I’m simply blown away by their love for God, and for their trust and faith in Him,” he said. “They are so relaxed with each other, and they do not express any self-pity. They are together as one and want to see others experience what they have found in God. I get the sense that they are not content to simply form a new

Ontario Conference Opens First Church for Visually

Impaired in NAD

congregation. Their purpose is to lead other visually impaired people and sighted people to Jesus.”

The congregation meets on the last Sabbath of each month at 24 Nelson Street in Scarborough, the building that formerly housed Scarborough Filipino Adventist Church.


“Church planting is the extreme sport of Christianity,” declared Pastor Wayne Krause, director of Centre for Church Planting in the South Pacific Division. “And there is no one telling you that something can’t be done.” He was speaking to participants at Ontario SEEDs 2017 on Friday, March 24, 2017 at London Adventist Church.

Krause shared how he was involved in a church plant over eighteen years ago in his homeland, Australia, with just thirteen people who had been on the periphery of church life. “During those eighteen years,” he said, “our church plant in turn planted seven new churches.”

He had the congregation’s complete attention as he shared stories of how God worked with the most unlikely people.

This was just the introduction to the fourth annual SEEDs Conference in Ontario. The following morning would see the start of a day-long event with eight presenters coming from the USA, British Columbia, and from as far as Australia.

SEEDs 2017 featured Brad Cauley, director for Church Planting, Growth, and Health Ministries in Carolina Conference; Don Corkum, coordinator for Church Planting in Alberta Conference; Kojo Twumasi, Michael Gibson, Daniel Hall, Karina Sheldon and Lizeth Momanga, MDiv students at Andrews University; and Wayne Krause.

While some events may please some attendees and disappoint others, Ontario SEEDs never seem to disappoint. Whether it’s returning participants or new attendees, they leave with something in common—an excitement about the possibility of being part of a new church plant! They hear inspiring testimonies of people who have been involved in church planting. They see the excitement in their faces and hear the passion that fills the stories of the experiences that leave them wanting to be involved for themselves. They even travel from out of province to attend.

“Our church in Montreal plans to plant two new groups in the next years,” said Pastor Joseph Batiancila, “So I came to discover new tools and learn how to overcome challenges. I’m happy to say that SEEDs has been really good, refreshing and inspirational. It has given me so much to share with my church.”

A SEEDs Conference is designed to inspire a passion in members and pastors to motivate them to plant new groups that will grow into churches.

Pastor Brad Cauley of Carolina Conference spoke of how church planting can attract former members. “When we planted two new churches in a year, the mother church saw an increase in its own membership.” He also said, “When you plant churches, former members return and inactive members become active”.

Attending a SEEDs conference was a first-time experience for many in London. However, like in the GTA and Ottawa before, it was clear that participants were deeply impacted by the presentations.

“It has been very beneficial for me,” beamed Colin of North London Church. “It has opened my eyes to new opportunities available and strategies we can use in evangelism.”

Sandra Dicker attends Living Truth, a church plant in London. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed SEEDs,” she exclaimed; “it was just great! I’m just sorry I missed Friday night.”

Ontario SEEDs Inspires Evangelism in London

There are others in London and elsewhere who, when they hear of what happened at SEEDs 2017, will be sad that they had missed it.

“Even though SEEDs was well-advertised,” said Pastor Jakov Bibulovic, Evangelism and Church Growth director, and organiser of Ontario SEEDs, “it seems to be a well-kept secret. Perhaps they hear of church planting and think that it’s not for them. However, when they understand that it’s perhaps one of the most effective ways of evangelism in 2017 and beyond, they will not want to miss one. When they attend, they will discover that they don’t need any special skills to be involved—only a willing heart. God will provide them with the rest, and they will be happier for it.”

Wayne Krause

SEEDs presenters


Ontario’s camp meeting, to be held on Sabbath, June 24, 2017 at the International Centre, Mississauga, will highlight the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

“The Reformation is perhaps the most significant event that has shaped Christianity in over a thousand years,” says Pastor Mansfield Edwards, president of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. “It returned us to the Word of God and helped us regain the wonderful truth that our salvation is found only in Jesus. It is fitting then as a church that sees itself as continuing the Reformation that our camp meeting should help us renew its spirit and focus in our lives.”

With the theme, ‘Living with Renewed Faith’, attendees can look forward to a camp meeting that re-examines the fundamentals of the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. With only a day to accomplish this, it is impossible to fully explore these essentials. Each church, company and group has been asked to dedicate five Sabbaths prior to June 24, for the purpose of examining the five essentials—Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Christ Alone and Glory to God.

“By the close of camp meeting,” says Pastor Edwards, “we would love to see all who attend to return to their homes, churches, and communities with a renewed faith. This is not simply the concept of faith, but a living, dynamic faith that informs their every thought, decision and action in their life! This is the kind of faith that results from truly knowing Jesus as both Saviour and Lord.”

Camp Meeting Speakers

Camp Meeting 2017 will feature Mike Tucker, Ivan Williams, Chanda Nunes, Lyle Notice, Jordane Smith, and Mansfield Edwards as speakers.

Mike Tucker is speaker/director for Faith for Today Television, and senior pastor of the 1600-member, Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Tucker’s career has included work as an academy Bible teacher, youth pastor, hospice chaplain, psychiatric chaplain and hospital chaplain. Marriage, family, and individual counselling are major components of his ministry. Pastor Tucker has also served as an associate Ministerial secretary for the North American Division and Ministerial secretary for the Texas Conference.

Tucker will be the speaker for the adults in Hall 5.

Camp Meeting to Highlight The Reformation’s 500th Anniversary

Camp Meeting - June 24

Mike Tucker Ivan Williams

Chanda Nunes Lyle Notice

Jordane Smith Mansfield Edwards


Ivan Williams returns to Ontario’s camp meeting for a second year in succession. For Camp Meeting 2017, he is the featured speaker for the Ordination/Commissioning Service. Williams is the Ministerial secretary for the NAD. He also serves as a chaplain for the California State Assembly, and as a chaplain (major) for the 129th California Air National Guard Rescue Wing. He is president of Brighter Hope Ministries, Inc., and can be heard on many radio stations around the country.

Chanda M. Nunes is associate pastor of Capitol City Adventist Church in Northern California Conference. She returns to Toronto, the city of her birth and home of her spiritual nurture.

Nunes is a graduate of both Burman and Andrews Universities. She also holds an associate degree in Private Investigation.

She began pastoral ministry in the Alberta Conference in 2003, serving as an assistant pastor, chaplain for Parkview Adventist Academy and College Heights Christian School, before moving to new responsibilities in Kansas in 2008. Commissioned in 2011, Nunes has been in her current position since 2015.

Nunes will be with speaking in Hall 4 to youth and young adults.

Lyle Notice is associate Youth director for the Alberta Conference. He is a son of Ontario, where he called Toronto home. He began pastoral ministry at Ottawa Adventist Church in 2008 and quickly established himself as a youth pastor. He was called to his present positon in 2008, where he works with Pathfinders; leads community outreach, and directs local mission trips, media ministry and disaster response.

Notice will minister to teens (13-15) in Hall 3. Hall 3 may only be accessed through entrances at Halls 4

and 5.

Jordane Smith was born and raised in Toronto and is a recent graduate of Burman University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies. She is fluently bilingual in English and French. Her plans for the future include pursuing graduate studies at Andrews University. She hopes to reach both the churched and the ‘unchurched' for Christ by creating spaces where "the least of these" can belong, be seen, be heard, and be loved.

Smith, accompanied by others, will lead the joint program of Primary and Junior divisions in the Aviation Ballroom.

Mansfield Edwards is president of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Children’s Programme (Ages 3-12)

There will be a programme for children ages 3-12, in the Aviation Ballroom (A, B and C).

Programmes for Cradle Roll, Kindergarten and Primary children will be offered in rooms A, B, and C, respectively. Each room is limited to a certain number of children so it is best to arrive early or on time for the start of Sabbath School. It is unlikely that there will be room for children arriving after 11:15 a.m.

The Cradle Roll programme concludes at 12:30 p.m. During the evening, there will only be programmes for Kindergarten, Primary and Junior.

Parents, due to the risk of food allergies, no snacks will be provided for the children. Parents are responsible for providing refreshments for their own children.

Access to the Aviation Ballroom is through Entrance 5.

Early Morning Prayer and Praise

Everyone is welcome to attend the early morning Prayer and Praise service at 8:00 a.m. in Hall 5.

Meals

Please note, no meals will be provided at the International Centre.

The Centre does not allow any food in any of the halls. All members are asked to picnic by their cars or at one of the local public parks (Wildwood Park, 3430 Derry Road East at the corner of Derry Road and Goreway Drive; Humberwood Park at Rexdale Boulevard and Humberwood Boulevard).

Exiting the Centre by Car

To reduce traffic congestion when exiting the International Centre by car at lunch time, members are asked to use both exits—one on Airport Road and the other on Derry Road to the north of the parking lot. It is likely that cars will only be able to turn right on Airport Road. Turning left has greatly contributed to long wait times. Cooperation with the parking attendants and the police will demonstrate the kindness and patience of Adventists.

Live Broadcast

Camp meeting will again be broadcast live via the Internet at www.adventistontario.org in both high and standard definitions. Both adults and young adults’ services will be available for viewing.

The International Centre is located at 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga.


In February, Toronto East Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrated Black History Month, highlighting the achievements and accomplishments of people of Afro-Caribbean heritage. Under the theme ‘We are more than conquerors!’ the church recognized four individuals from the Afro-Caribbean community who, through their lives and experiences, are more than conquerors.

On February 4, the congregation was introduced to Jully Black, a Canadian R&B singer-songwriter and actress, who is transitioning back to Christianity and serving Jesus as a way of life. Black accomplished much in the entertainment industry, receiving several Juno Award nominations for her recordings, and had acting roles in such productions as “Da kink in my Hair”. Recognizing that Jesus is the only way to true happiness, Jully Black is more than a conqueror.

The church also celebrated the accomplishment of three black Canadian politicians: The Honourable Ahmed Hussain, MP, The Honourable Celina Caesar-Chavannes, MP, and The Honourable Mitzi Hunter, MPP. All three daily exemplify, in one way or another, the theme chosen for the month.

The Honourable Ahmed Hussain, Federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Born and raised in Somalia, Ahmed Hussain immigrated to Canada in 1993 as a refugee and now holds one of the highest positions in the Federal government. He is more than a conqueror. Minister Hussain and his ministry have made it easier for skilled people to come to Canada with the adoption of the new Express Entry policy. His vision is to ensure that the immigration system is fairer and that the amount of money a prospective immigrant has is no longer one of the main requisites for entry into Canada.

The Honourable Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Member of Parliament for the riding of Whitby and appointed

Toronto East: “We Are More than Conquerors!”

parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, spoke of her humble beginning and building a name for herself as a successful entrepreneur before entering politics in 2014. Recognizing that “If God is for us who can be against us”…, MP Caesar-Chavannes clearly demonstrates that “God puts things in our lives because He knows who we are and what we need”. She admonished the church to galvanize around social justice issues, rise up and believe that through God we are His chosen, His conquerors.

The Honourable Mitzi Hunter, Minister of Education for the Ontario Provincial Government. Raised as a Seventh-day Adventist, the Honourable Mitzi Hunter talked about her reasons for being more than a conqueror: The footsteps in which she walks—Viola Desmond’s, Jean Augustine’s, and her mother’s. She counseled the congregation to leave footprints behind so that our children have a way forward.

Donald McLoud makes presentation to Ahmed Hussain

Percella Harrison, who for many years was celebrated as Scarborough Seventh-day Adventist Church’s eldest member, has gone to her rest at age 106 on February 16, 2017.

Born on February 23, 1911, in Clarendon, Jamaica, ‘Sister Pearl’, as she was affectionately known, was baptised over 67 years ago and remained a faithful member at Scarborough Church for 37 years.

Pearl had always attributed her longevity to her faith in God, and in living a life of honesty and kindness to others.

As she awaits the Lord’s return, she leaves behind countless cherished memories and a grand example of a well-lived life.

Percella ‘Sister Pearl’ Harrison, Dies at 106



Earl Smith, a long-time member of Apple Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church, is a new recipient of the City of Markham’s Community Service Award.

The award, presented to those who have made outstanding contributions to the Markham community, was presented to Smith, along with three other recipients, at Markham Theatre for Performing Arts on Tuesday, January 31, 2017. It was part of the city’s Black History Month celebrations.

The award was presented by Mayor Frank Scarpetti, in the presence of the entire council, Chief Eric Jolliff, the head of York Regional Police, and other dignitaries.

Smith was accompanied by his wife Gay and other members of his family, along with Pastor Robert Greaves, Apple Creek’s assistant pastor, and Pastors John Scott and Eustace Williams, directors of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

“I was very surprised and humbled when the city called and told me of the award,” said Smith. “I did not want to attend, and I thought that I didn’t deserve it, but they convinced me to attend.

“Since receiving the award, I now feel that I need to do more in the community. I firmly believe that church must be about community. We need to reach out to those who do not attend church.”

City Award for Apple Creek’s Earl Smith

Moosonee Concert Attracts CommunityNine years ago, on August 2, 2008, Rachel Chakasim and

Alex Hughie were baptised in the Moose River by Pastor Lyle Notice.

It was the first baptism of Native Canadians from the First Nations village of Moosonee, 852 km north of Toronto. Since then, a small group of Adventists has been established there.

When a planned retreat, February 3-6, 2017, for the Cochrane Group to Fort Albany on the Cree First Nation reserve was cancelled, Bible instructor Alison Down, and singer Pam Lister from Oshawa, journeyed north 246 km by Polar Bear Express to Moosonee. They planned to fellowship at Pastora and Proferio Galupo’s home with the small but growing Adventist community and their friends there.

After a morning of worship followed by lunch, Pam Lister joined members of the group for a musical concert for the community. A small number from the community turned out and enjoyed the beautiful music and fellowship in the concert held in a member’s home.

Lister, who had travelled to the north to sing at the retreat, also recorded for a programme for Cochrane’s radio station, and gave a concert at the First Baptist Church in Cochrane.

The concert held in Moosonee is one of the ways by which the group is trying to build friendships with native people. It is soon to be followed by a mass mail-out of the Native New

Day Bible Study. The mail-out will invite people to request Bible studies created specifically for native people.

“We come away from this visit,” said Alison Down, “knowing that the members there were encouraged and uplifted because of our presence, and have been strengthened to shine as a light as they continue sharing the gospel with the people of Moosonee.”



With thirty-four charter members, many dressed in national costumes, the Nigerian Fellowship passed a milestone on December 10, 2016, when it gained company status.

Pastor Mansfield Edwards and Virene Meikle, Ontario Conference president and treasurer, respectively, and a number of Conference directors joined the congregation for the organising service at 3:00 p.m. It was held at New Life Christian Assembly of Toronto in Etobicoke. They were joined by a number of pastors, including David Rogers, Allan Chichester, Errol Lawrence, Damson Oppong, and Paul Smith, all who played a role in the development of the congregation. Pastor Wayne Williams, who was the pastor of the fellowship before his appointment as vice-president for Administration of the Alberta Conference, also participated in the service.

Joyful is the word that best described the service. From the rhythmic sound of Toronto West Adventist Church’s drum corps, through the melodious singing of Rose Worrel, to the rich Nigerian harmonies of the fellowship’s choir, the service was celebratory and full of thanksgiving.

In his message, Pastor Edwards directed the congregation to move beyond celebration and to advance its mission with confidence in God’s leadership.

“I want you to be a model congregation in this Conference,” he said, “full of faith and confidence in God.

“Sometimes, when the church does not seem to know where it is going, don’t worry because God is leading”.

The Nigerian Fellowship grew out of a desire by a number of Nigerian members at Toronto West Adventist Church to reach out to other Nigerians. By early 2000, the group was

Nigerian Fellowship

Gains Company

Status

worshipping each Sabbath at the Adventist Community Services Centre on Bentworth Avenue, Toronto.

On March 1, 2017, Pastor Joseph Amankwah began serving the congregation as its new minister.

The Nigerian Fellowship welcomes all believers to worship with it at 573 Albion Road, Etobicoke.


Revelation Verse-by-Verse Changes Lives at Chatham and Leamington

Many Christians consider the book of Revelation a mysterious, incomprehensible, and even one of the most frightening books of the Bible. Some avoid studying it while others never stop criticizing it. Not so at Chatham and Leamington Adventist Churches.

From May until the end of October 2016, each of the two congregations organized a series of verse-by-verse Bible studies from the book of Revelation.

The series attracted both church members and people from the community.

Using only the Bible as his tool, the local pastor, Laurentiu Prelipcian, led the series in both congregations weekly on Sundays. After each chapter, he gave a quiz before moving on to the next. The series concluded with a final exam of 100 questions based on the prophecies of the book of Revelation. Diplomas were given to those who were successful. The person who answered correctly to most of the questions also received a trophy with an angel symbolizing the proclamation from Revelation 14:6-12. In Chatham Church, Randolph Max McConnell, who correctly answered 89 questions, gladly received his trophy. Brother McConnell is a godly man who loves his Bible and is committed to spreading the Good News of salvation to other people.

In Leamington, the entire congregation was shocked when Anita Goodings, a visitor from the community, received a perfect score, as she correctly answered all 100 questions.

This was a very beautiful experience for those who participated in our Bible study series and, for most of them, the diploma they received was the only one they ever received for studying the Word of God.

Before the final exam, two participants at the Leamington series decided to give their life to God and requested baptism.

Experience praying for people and sharing literature about Jesus Food, accommodation & transportation is provided Additional scholarships for students attending Canadian Adventist schools

Missionary service in Canada A team-setting environment

CanadaYouthChal lenge.com

Be a student missionary this summer

[email protected] (905) 576-6631

For more information, please contact us to receive a program handbook.

WHEN:

WHO:

This Summer (10-12 Weeks)

Youth, Ages 16+

Pastor Prelipcian says that he is indebted to the support of his predecessor, Pastor Dirk Zinner, who initiated the series and assisted until its conclusion.

Upcoming EventsJune 2-3 Southern Ont. Regional Camp Meeting

June 9-11 Prayer Conference Retreat

June 24 Ontario Conference Camp Meeting

June 27-29 Seniors’ Retreat

July 22 Prayer Session for Constituency Meeting

July 21-25 Pathfinder Camporee

July 26-30 Adventurer Camporee

August 4-5 Filipino Camp Meeting

August 18-20 Ontario Constituency Meeting


The room grew silent as I marched to the front of the room. I stood smartly at attention, arms to my side, head up and looking straight ahead. All eyes were now staring at me in anticipation; you could hear a pin drop. I stood still wearing my crisply-ironed Type A uniform.

What I was about to say next would surely identify who I am and in Whom I believe. I opened my mouth confidently to recite the Pathfinder Pledge. “By the grace of God, I will be pure, and kind, and true. I will keep the Pathfinder law. I will be a servant of God and a friend to man. Hello, I’m Pathfinder Nate.”

It was the finals of the Annual Public Speech Competitions at Durham Elementary School in Oshawa, on February 10, 2017. I had chosen to present my topic, “Bowmanville Archers Pathfinder Club,” to the entire student body and their parents.

My speech included explaining who we are; what we do; the activities we participate in and the various honours I have been awarded. Normally, I’m a really shy person, but somehow I was able to memorize my speech and confidently deliver it. I was very excited to share with them the wonderful things I have experienced since being a member of my Pathfinder club.

When it came to the question and answer period, the audience didn’t hesitate to ask me many questions, such as, “Why did you join?” and “When are your club sessions?” Some even thought I was part of the Canadian military.

I know it’s not easy to tell others about what you believe, especially as a young person. Sometimes we are afraid of standing out and being ridiculed. However, I’ve learned that you just have to wait for God to give you the right opportunity

Pathfinder Wins Durham Elementary School’s Speech Competition

Kendalwood’s Foodbank Volunteers Obtain Food Handlers Permit

to share. And that’s what He did for me at school. I passed every stage of the competitions in order to make it to the finals. I believed that God made the way for me so that I can witness for Him.

In the end, I won the public speech competition. I was awarded a Certificate of Excellence because they saw how confident and enthusiastic I was about being a Pathfinder!

Thank you, God, for helping me to spread the Advent message to my school and to my generation.

Nathan Sullivan-DookieBowmanville Archers Pathfinder Club

It was one of the worst snow days of the winter in Whitby on February 12, 2017. There was freezing rain just days before, when the snow-storm started. Many were afraid to leave their homes, while others were slipping and sliding all over the road and decided to turn back. Not so the brave ones who attended the Food Handlers Permit Course at Kendalwood Adventist Church.

Over 70 people of various ages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds turned out for the course run by the Ontario Ministry of Health. Some needed it for professional use while others attended for personal reasons. Like many churches, Kendalwood Church sometimes serves food on its premises and runs a food bank, so it is required by the province to have its handlers certified. Fifty-nine people sat the examination.

The teacher was very knowledgeable and lively. She made learning very easy, and participants found the course informative and enjoyable.

The permit course, which is valid for five years, has enabled many people to obtain and gain an edge towards new employment.

Kendalwood Church is pleased to have all its food bank’s 17 volunteers (1 extra pending) certified with their food handlers permit.

This is the second time since the beginning of the year that Kendalwood Church hosted the course. A total of 90 persons have sat the examinations, 34 of whom are from Kendalwood Church.

“Our aim as a church is to provide valuable seminars and courses that are practical for the community,” says Marcia White, assistant Community Services leader.


Some Christian women struggle over what it means to be a virtuous Christian woman. This was not the case for Lucya Spencer, who after a period of illness, died on February 15, 2017.

When I came into the position of Family and Women’s Ministries director for our conference, Lucya, along with others, quickly became an indispensable support to me. I recognised her strong passion to create a legacy to pass on to other women so I looked to her. She helped me understand the Canadian context and provided me with valuable resources

Lucya Spencer, a Legacy for Womanhoodand sound advice. However, I really did not know the full extent of her passion and the work she did for women until her death.

When I attended her funeral service at Ottawa Adventist Church; where she served as an elder, I discovered that her discipling of other women by modelling biblical principles was not restricted to her church family. Lucya had worked as executive director of Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO), an agency which she co-founded. Her successor, Mercy Lalwluvi, described her as being more than a boss. “She was a mentor, a motivator and a formidable leader who always found time to discuss issues with me as they arose,” she said.

Other colleagues at the IWSO said, “Her generosity knew no bounds and touched many lives.”

I learned that Lucya’s contribution to the Ottawa community was invaluable. She was an outstanding leader who consistently encouraged others to advance issues that impacted the lives of immigrant women and children. She worked tirelessly to empower them, and focused on the elimination of all forms of violence against women.

Lucya’s integral role in ministering to the women of both her local and provincial church was steeped in faith and tremendous leadership. Her heart for the well-being of women in the community and the church guided her time and talent. Her yearly church program about abuse awareness brought healing to individuals and to families.

We are deeply saddened that Lucya is no longer with us. We will even say that she was taken too soon because there is so much to be done. Yet, God knows that she has faithfully fulfilled the work He gave her. She has left an amazing legacy of true Christian womanhood for us to continue.

The Women’s Ministries Department honours the memory of Lucya Spencer and gives God thanks for her life.

Joan Rogers

Lucya, left, with Joan Rogers

12-Year Journey to Baptism at Six Nations Ontario’s oldest church, Six Nations Seventh-day Adventist Church, rejoiced

on Sabbath, February 11, 2017, when after 12 years, ReJane Dawn LaForme was baptized and was accepted into membership. The baptism took place at Brantford Adventist Church.

LaForme has been attending Six Nations Church for over 12 years, but had not seen the need to be baptised again, having been baptised as a child. However, she identified herself as a Christian and actively shared her faith with others. She regularly brought many people from the community to church with her for worship, and to other functions.

In October of 2015, two of the friends she had invited to church, Marvin Miller and Darcy Collins, were baptised. After the immersion, Pastor Sormin appealed for anyone who would like to accept Jesus as Saviour and to be baptized. LaForme did so by raising her hand. Baptismal preparation studies began shortly after, and she was baptised. The church is grateful to God for how He has led her in her decision as an adult and for the role she plays in the church.

Six Nations Church is also grateful to the Brantford Church for opening its baptistery for the baptism and for the warm Christian fellowship.

The church was established in 1898. It meets at 818 Cayuga Road, Hagersville, ON.


Re: The Resurrection of David Koresh

Dear Editor,

I have read and observed articles in recent Highlights. Now, regarding what you call “New Movement”, I don’t believe there is any movement going on similar to David Koresh’s--that’s kind of extreme to say that. Members are doing group studies/prayers on Daniel/Revelation and the Spirit of Prophecy, word for word as written.

God is soon to come, especially for young people--they are hungry for the TRUTH. If they can be told the raw truth, Sabbath school would improve. We don’t need to go to Revelation seminars to hear the truth. We need the open truth from our church pulpits: who the Anti-Christ is, the meaning of the Mark of the Beast, etc. E. G. White’s writings are truly inspired, and without them we are going to be lost.

Our young people are searching for truth. Not heresies. They know about love, mercy, Jesus died for them, and all that. They need prophetic messages.

Now is not time for fun, food and frolic, or else we will all be like the five foolish virgins.

Lilly, Toronto Japanese

Dear Editor,

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the gentle, yet firm way you addressed the issues in the article entitled “The Resurrection of David Koresh”.

Your encouragement that each one of us respect the other’s response to God’s leading in our lives is the answer to so many challenges we encounter in the congregational dynamic during these troubling times.

Between the lines, I see an earnest desire on your part to knit God’s people together in the harmony only a “grace-filled growth in Christ” can sponsor.

These words have given me fresh direction in my Christian walk, and I pray the Lord will continue to guide your pen as you seek His guidance in feeding the sheep.

Dan Trafford, Brockville Church

Your Letters

SAVE The Date!September 22-24, 2017

Men’s Ministry Annual GatheringLocation: Camp Frenda


64th TJA/CAA Alumni

Homecoming Weekend

May 27-28, 2017

Crawford Adventist Academy will be holding its 64th Alumni Homecoming Weekend on May 27-28, 2017.

We welcome all our alumni and families, former and current administrators, board members, faculty & staff, parents, friends and supporters. Honouring TJA classes of 1982 (Inaugural Grade 12 Graduating Class), 1977 (Grade 10), 1972 (Grade 10), 1967 and all classes prior; CAA Classes of 2007, 2002, 1997, 1992 and 1987.

For more information, please visit our official website

www.caasda.com or contact Judy Cardona Gamez at 416-633-0090, ext. 248 or [email protected].

New Administrative Assistant for Conference President

Sarah Gouda-Maka, who has worked in the Communications, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Departments (PARL), and as Conference membership clerk (eAdventist.net) for over thirteen years, recently moved to her new role as administrative assistant to the president. She will continue in her other role as Conference membership clerk (eAdventist.net).

Sarah replaces Judith Guarin in the president’s office.

Lila Oliveira, who has been the face of Camp Frenda for two decades, replaces Sarah in the Communications/PARL Departments. Summer will be Lila’s last camp as the transition to her new role from April 3 continues.

Documents

HIGHLIGHTSONTARIO - AdventistOntario · in the book, The Great Controversy: ‘It was the work of the Reformation to restore to men the Word of God’ (p.388). Living the Reformation’s